Spanish League Could Strike Over Tax Hike Plans

BaZmO*

Plans to bring high earners into line with the rest of the country have not gone down well in Spanish football circles...

Nov 4, 2009 2:13:31 PM

Spanish football could grind to a halt after the league (LFP) stated it may go on strike over government plans to do away with tax breaks for foreign players.

The LFP have been angered by plans to see any non-Spanish persons earning over €600,000-a-year have their rate of tax go up from 24 per cent to 43 per cent starting in 2010.

While the move will not affect players already plying their trade in la Primera, there are concerns that it would dissuade the world's best players from moving to Spain.

Also being amended is the so-called 'Beckham Law' that was approved seven years ago to help attract highly skilled foreign workers to Spain.

While the LFP are angry about the idea, Barcelona president Joan Laporta also thinks that it would harm the game.

"This measure damages Spanish soccer," he was quoted as saying on the Blaugrana's official website.

"It would mean that talented players will think twice before coming to our league."

France is undergoing similar change with plans to scrap tax breaks for top athletes being met with objections across the board.

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told the media that the measures were designed to put everyone on a level playing field as the country tries to pull itself out of its difficult economic situation.

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Good news for the Premiership if the proposed plans go ahead.
Apparently Arshavin was a little p1ssed when he checked his first paycheck from Arsenal and realised that while he may be earning a higher Gross pay with Arsenal, after tax his Net pay worked out less than what he was earning previously.

SlickRic

some things are more important than football.

fair play to the government if they have the balls to go through with this.

Ush1

Everyone has to take cuts and measures have to be taken, just the way it is.

Headshot

I think Spain is even in a worse state than us (economy wise)

hopefully this tax comes in

mike65

Good stuff.

everdead.ie

If they bring this tax in I think it will basically level out all of europe's top leagues although the climate in Spain seems to attract a lot of players anyway especially ones from South America.

All in all should be good for football in General

redout

Christ lads this news is like a month old!